Join us for a Cornhole Tournament and an evening of fun at the Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, West Virginia on May 10th, 2008!
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Recording for the Blind and (WHAT)! Dyslexic? What is that? Everyone seems to understand what we do for the visually impaired but the Dyslexic part is more difficult to grasp.

When we talk about students with learning disabilities, we tend to think that these kids cannot read at all. That is simply not true. Most of them can read a little. That is the problem - they can read a little BUT they are required to read a lot! They struggle mightily with the printed word. For those of us who can read effortlessly, it is hard to understand why others cannot do so. Graphically, it is best understood by saying that someone in a wheelchair should be taught to walk. Simple enough on the surface but not easily attainable. While these students struggle to decode words and sounds, they are falling farther behind their classmates. Research shows that students who have a bad teacher never recover from the experience. Subsequently, students who fall behind almost never make up the lost ground. Their education will never be complete. How many of us would want to fly with a pilot whose training never included landings? Education must be a total experience from takeoff to landing. We serve kids who learn to take off but who never get the full experience to make a safe landing. RFB&D is in the business of safe landings. We want to provide these students with the chance to get a complete education and a happy life! I am asking YOU to help RFB&D provide a safe landing for someone whose life is up in the air.

Here is how you can help. First, tell others about our audio textbooks and how they can help students who cannot read the printed word effectively. Make them aware of the service and the hope that is available through RFB&D. You may have family or friends that have a learning disability and they do not know where to seek help. Ask your local school system if they are using RFB&D and suggest that they contact us.

Secondly, contribute financially. I was raised to think of money as a private matter that was better left not discussed. When I first took this job, I was hesitant to ask others to help financially. The truth is that giving makes people feel good when their gift can make a difference for someone else. No amount is too small. Money is how we get our services in the hands of kids. Contribute yourself and ask your friends to do likewise. Give them the chance to make a difference in the life of a child! Without the generosity of others, the hope of RFB&D could not exist. Have one less soft drink a day for one year and write a check for $365. The point is that giving to a cause like ours is not a sacrifice but a privilege. I sincerely thank you for it.

Thirdly, contact your state delegate or senator and let them know how important RFB&D is to the success of the students across West Virginia. Call the state Department of Education and tell them you want them to use RFB&D for students who cannot read the printed word. Let the Governor know that we are serving slightly over 3,000 students with learning disabilities, but we have 13,000 yet to reach. Legislative action can help us reach all these students in one fell swoop!

Finally, get on board wholeheartedly with the mission of RFB&D and let us get in the business of safe landings!

Recorder - Our Winter 2008 Regional Newsletter

Download PDF version of our newsletter and our West Virginia insert